BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of July 10, 2007

 

 

A special meeting was held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 9, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, and Jamie Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a 2008 pre-submittal budget workshop with the Board of Equalization and Boundary Review Board, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Monday, July 9, 2007 and reconvened at 1:45 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, and Jamie Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a 2008 pre-submittal budget workshop with the Auditor, Elections, Auditor O&M, and Veterans Relief, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a 2008 pre-submittal budget workshop with Noxious Weed Control, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a 2008 pre-submittal budget workshop with Planning and Community Development, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a 2008 pre-submittal budget workshop with the Counseling Center, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:35 p.m. Monday, July 9, 2007.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m. Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of July 3, 2007.

2.       Acknowledge submission of grant application to City of Stevenson Tax Advisory Committee for proposed Stevenson Outdoor Performance Theater Stage design and engineering.

3.       Acknowledge extension of 2006-2007 agreement with Human Services Council for in-home services to allow completion of 2007-2008 contract process.

4.       Set public hearing for 2:30 PM Tuesday, July 31, 2007 consider a request from Timothy Ball for a variance to Skamania County Code 12.03.040(B)(1) Private Road Requirements for Two Rivers Road (private), located off of Cooper Avenue, to allow a driving surface of less than the 20-foot surface dimension requirement.

5.       Notice to Contractors calling for bids for Countywide Safety Improvement Project for placement or replacement of guardrail at various locations; set deadline to receive sealed bids for 4:00 PM Monday, August 6, 2007; set date to open sealed bids for 10:10 AM Tuesday, August 7, 2007.

6.       Senior Services vendor rate and homecare wage increase, as approved by Legislature, effective July 1, 2007.

7.       Authorization to purchase from Public Works for repairs to Red Mountain and Lookout Mountain propane systems.

8.       Contract with Michael R. Dudley to organize and direct Youth Tennis Program.

9.       Amendment #1 to agreement with USDA Forest Service to provide additional funding and extend the availability of funding Skamania County Work Crew Title III Program.

10.    Contract amendment #1 with Dept of Social and Health Services to provide additional funding for administration of drug/alcohol testing for youth on probation & for a Coordinator to facilitate the Community Accountability Board meetings.

11.    Interagency Agreement with Administrative Office of the Courts to provide funding to Juvenile Court for programs and services.

12.    Contract with Human Services Council to provide funding for Medicaid and Senior Dial-a-Ride Transportation for eligible residents.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending June 30, 2007 in the total amount of $1,059,104.04.

 

Larry Douglass, Public Works Director reported on the Rock Creek Slide, engineering projects, County Road projects, ER&R, Solid Waste, and Building Department.

 

The Board discussed the proposed new Planning and Community Development Assistant Planner position, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a letter to Shelley Moore and Nathan and Deb Leek in response to correspondence submitted on June 29, 2007 regarding short platting their property located off of `-Ryan-Allen Road.

 

Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director reported on staffing, new biennium transportation grants, Homecare License renewal, and presented year to date program unit counts.

 

Terry Blaisdell, Central Services Director reported on email spam blocker, web filter, scheduled computer replacements, new equipment purchases for various departments, and gave updates on various projects and programs.

 

Commissioner Pearce joined the meeting via phone at approximately 11:05 a.m.

 

Sarah Prince, Noxious Weed Coordinator reported on Coordinator activities, Title II project, and knotweed control.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve a new Planning and Community Development Assistant Planner position at Range 17 as an exempt position, effective August 1, 2007.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to reinstate the exempt status of the District Court Commissioner/Administrative Assistant, effective July 1, 2007.

 

Following a staff report by Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2007-25 adopting, endorsing and certifying Skamania County 2007 Comprehensive Plan and Associated Maps.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve Ordinance 2007-10 establishing for six months a moratorium on the acceptance and processing of building, mechanical and/or plumbing permits on any parcel of land 20 acres or larger that was created by deed since January 1, 2006, the acceptance and processing of land divisions (subdivisions and short subdivisions), and the acceptance and processing of State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklists related to forest practice conversions for any parcel located within unincorporated Skamania County that is not currently located within a zoning classification or the area generally known as the Swift Subarea of Skamania County until the zoning classifications related to the 2007 Comprehensive Plan and the Critical Areas Update Process are complete.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to set a public hearing for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 21, 2007 to receive public comment regarding action approving Ordinance 2007-10.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve a letter of employment with Larry Douglass to perform the duties of Skamania County Public Works Director.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve a request from Three Rivers Recreational Area (Jerry Sauer), to create a conservation boundary line adjustment changing the existing lot line configuration of island area between the Muddy River and the Lewis River on parcel numbers 07-06-24-0-0-0600-00 and 07-06-24-0-0-0700-00, provided the owners of parcel number 07-06-24-0-0-0600-00 agree with the following conditions:

1.       No bonus lots or other special considerations will be granted due to the voluntary conservation boundary line adjustment;

2.       All deeds to process the voluntary boundary line adjustment will be processed at the same time; and,

3.       The new deed for the parcel containing the island shall state there is a 10-year moratorium on land divisions beginning at the time the boundary line adjustment is recorded.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday, July 10, 2007 and reconvened at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Proposed Title III Projects for 2008 were presented as follows:

 

Skamania County Forest Work Crew, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department.  Continuation from 2007.  To reimburse Skamania County Sheriff Department for the supervision of in-custody low risk inmates who handle numerous projects within the forestlands to assist with the recreation and functionality of these lands to benefit the citizens of Skamania County and all its visitors.  This is in partnership with the United States Forest Service. The funds requested are to provide supervision of six Work Crew men for 10 hours a day, 7 shifts per week.  Total project cost $135,817.

Skamania County Sheriff’s Emergency Services, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department.  Continuation from 2007.  To enhance and maintain the level of search and rescue services in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Columbia River Gorge NSA lands in Skamania County, as well as reduce and improve response times to all types of emergency calls.    The funds requested are to maintain one full time Road Deputy position, one-half-time FTE Road Deputy position and one-quarter-time FTE Road Deputy wage, and overtime, including supporting equipment and services.   Total project cost $260,041.

Skamania County Forest Youth Success, sponsored by Stevenson-Carson School District and WSU Cooperative Extension.  Continuation from 2007.  To provide summer employment for high school age youth to conduct projects on the national forest, to teach forest ecology and management, and to conduct an after-school program for younger students that teaches forest ecology and management, as well as life skills.  The program request for 2008 includes continued funding for a program director, assistant coordinator, eight crew leaders, the employment of up to 48 youth, and operating supplies and services.  Total project cost $298,815.

Skamania County Firewise Planning for Woodland Dwellers, sponsored by WSU Cooperative Extension.  Continuation from 2007.  Project plan is to complete GIS analyses, conduct survey planning and field surveys, continue to provide firewise education, and provide wildfire risk analysis.  The request includes salary and benefits for a full time wildfire coordinator and four part-time surveyors, office services (photocopying and mailing), travel, training and Central Services consulting to facilitate data gathering and management.  Total project cost $155,247.

North Country EMS St. Helen’s Project, sponsored by North Country Emergency Medical Services.  Continuation from 2007.  To provide emergency medical services to visitors, recreationalists, residents, and employees of the northwest area of Skamania County including Mt. St. Helen’s National Volcanic Monument located in Skamania County.  This project requests funding for personnel to staff an ambulance and rescue vehicle for the months of June (weekends only), July, August, and September.  Total project cost $45,000 

New Project Classrooms In The Hatchery, sponsored by US Fish and Wildlife Service and Carson National Fish Hatchery.  This project will provide facility and program instruction for enrichment of student awareness of forest and watershed related issues.  It will promote environmental understanding and management of natural resources and their interrelated functioning, provide opportunities for diverse educational and hands on opportunities tied to protection, enhancement and improvement of public and private lands.  Total project cost $74,000.

 

Request For Amendment To 2007 Title III Project:

Skamania County Sheriff’s Emergency Services, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department.  To enhance and maintain the level of search and rescue services in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Columbia River Gorge NSA lands in Skamania County, as well as reduce and improve response times to all types of emergency calls.    The funds requested are to construct a 60’x100’ secure metal building at the County’s Carson Stockpile Site to house search and rescue gear and other Sheriff’s equipment, with the cost of the building to be split between Title III funds and other County funds.  Total Title III funds requested $70,000.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding real estate from 10:40 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 11:00 a.m. until 11:40 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop to discuss 2008 Title III project applications, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2007 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Sheriff to discuss an amendment to the 2007 Title III Project for Skamania County Sheriff’s Emergency Services to construct a 60’x100’ secure metal building at the County’s Carson Stockpile Site to house search and rescue gear and other Sheriff’s equipment, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a 2008 pre-submittal budget workshop with the Sheriff, Jail, Work Crew, E911, Inmate Welfare, Drug Investigations, Criminal Investigations, Emergency Management, Animal Control/Code Enforcement, and Boating Safety, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2007 and reconvened at 3:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Mark Yinger, a groundwater and environmental consultant reported on subsurface investigations conducted in the vicinity of the active Piper Road landslide.  Discussion included the geologic setting, soil types, drilling and boring results, and soil saturation.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the County Clerk to discuss a software program change for the Superior Court system, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:55 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2007 and reconvened at 9:35 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2007, with Commissioners Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending July 12, 2007 in the total amount of $377,544.37.

 

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member reported on the CRGC meeting of July 10, 2007.  Discussion included commercial recreation zoning, Broughton proposal, wind turbines, and an increase in funding from the State of Oregon.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:25 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2007 and reconvened at 10:55 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a voucher to Cardmember Service in the total amount of $2,240.27.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON